What it does
A small amount can change viscosity, which is why the name appears in sauces, drinks and other mixed foods. The ingredients list does not tell you the amount used.
Names you may see on the label
xanthan gum; E415; E 415
Where it showed up in our published study
In the published 10 October 2026 snapshot, xanthan gum appeared in protein powders (6) and protein bars and snacks (1).
Counts are per record and do not measure Irish sales or the whole market.
FoodSussed processing Level
FoodSussed can read xanthan gum as a thickener or stabiliser marker. It is one part of the full-list processing estimate.
Health and safety disclaimer
This page makes no health or safety verdict. EU authorisation is conditional by food category and may include limits or other restrictions; it is not unlimited permission in every food.
One permitted-use example
One current EU category lists xanthan gum for milk-based drinks and similar products intended for young children, with category-specific conditions.
The E415 example links to an official EUR-Lex permitted-use source checked 24 October 2026. The European Commission food-additives database was checked on the same date for xanthan gum.
Questions people ask
How can I recognise xanthan gum on a food label?
Xanthan gum may be declared as xanthan gum; E415; E 415, including the number E415.
Where did xanthan gum appear in the published study?
The largest published product-type group for xanthan gum was protein powders (6 of 7 matched records).
Sources
- European Commission food-additives database (checked 24 October 2026)
- EU permitted-use source for the example above (checked 24 October 2026)
- Published 10 October study JSON used for the xanthan gum product-type counts